Crane Hill

The estate track leaves the A66 opposite Old Spital, heads north onto North Moor and then turns sharply east to head down Sled Dale to West Stoney Keld. At this point, on the northern side of North Dodd, it is following the left bank of Boldron Strand, a small stream which doesn't flow anywhere near Boldron (a small village some ten kilometres to the east). It is, in fact, a right bank tributary to Deepdale Beck, flowing, at the confluence, in Sled Dale, only forming Deepdale somewhat further to the east as it cuts down. The rather prominent knoll in this view is Green How, not living up to its name at this late season when all the sedges have yellowed.

The estate track started four and a half kilometres to the east at West Stoney Keld and is now nearing its maximum height before taking a sharp turn south to reach the A66 opposite Old Spital. Although the moor is not especially exciting, interest is certainly added by the names of the water courses. Just to the photographer's left Glasgow Gill comes very close to the track before transforming into Red Bogs Sike, then soon after, becoming Boldron Strand. Although Boldron is not that far away (it's a small village ten kilometres or so to the east) Glasgow seems a most unlikely name.

I hesitate to call this a grouse butt - it offers nothing in the way of concealment and no more shelter than perhaps an opportunity to avoid sinking into the peat. This one is the last of a line of ten, a longer line than most - perhaps the clients are expected to periodically huddle together for warmth like so many penguins? I'd want a refund! The estate track, here at about 385m above sea level, runs from West Stoney Keld to a point on the A66 opposite Old Spital, the section most frequently blocked by snow (often for days at a time, as in the recent storm Arwen). Grouse shooting potentially goes on until December 10th, so this is not a place for those used to the more luxurious stone-built butts lower down.

Sled Dale seems very well supplied with sheepfolds, many in better condition than this one next to the estate track, and low winter light picks them out in the rather gently rolling landscape, as they are often placed on firmer, and therefore slightly raised, ground above the mostly peaty, boggy terrain. Beyond Deepdale Beck (which retains its name well upstream of Deepdale from which it derives its name) the ground climbs again to a long ridge, Race Yate Rigg, which forms the watershed with Baldersdale to the north.

Pennine Way walkers have a choice on the negotiation of the A66. The direct way is up an embankment, and dash across the dual carriageway to hope survival will last as far as reaching the other side. A short diversion to the west, however, will offer this subway and the safer option. The last time I travelled here in the 1990's, only the former alternative was in place.

A pile of stones beside the Pennine Way on Bowes Moor, which warrants a depiction on OS Maps. Wainwright notes that this feature is a pathetic ruin with an ambitious name - and at best was once a small stone hut.

Beside the Pennine Way, south of Deepdale Beck is a partially dismantled bield. A "Bield" is a shelter.

The National Trail is well enough defined to be followed without difficulty, although it is soggy and has not been upgraded like other sections of the path.

Looking northwards downstream towards Deepdale Beck from the Pennine Way

The Pennine Way is a National Trail in England, with a small section in Scotland. The trail runs 267 miles from Edale, in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border. The path runs along the Pennine hills, sometimes described as the "backbone of England". Although not the United Kingdom's longest National Trail, it is according to the Ramblers' Association "one of Britain's best known and toughest".

On the distant skyline are Little and Mickle Fells.